In-store kiosks to offer Palm-based software

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 20 Feb 2003 at 11:53

Software kiosks to sell Palm apps over the air.

A joint venture between PalmSource, maker of the Palm operating system, Handango and WideRay will put kiosks in high street shops from which you can buy new applications and transfer them to your handheld or smart phone wirelessly.

Bearing the Trekky moniker 'Beam-Me-App', the kiosks will feature software from Handango's catalogue of Palm-based applications and each application can be activated by a code that is sent to the device. Applications can be paid for by a variety of methods such as debiting the buyer's phone bill or SMS.

A spokesperson for PalmSource told us that the company is already in advanced talks with a number of operators in the UK and expected to see a trial take place in a month's time.

Aside from the convenience to consumers, the scheme would give a high street presence to the thousands of Palm-based applications available as well as requiring no inventory in the stores. Ringtones and graphics will also be on offer for Palm-based phones.

Of course with the 3GSM Congress in full swing, all the talk is of increasing ARPU (average revenue per user), but putting such a wealth of software in stores will serve Palm users, whether or not their device sports telephony capabilities.

Albert Chu, VP of business development at PalmSource, said: 'Palm OS has the world's largest library of mobile software, and we're pleased that this new programme will make them even easier to find and install. It will increase the revenue opportunities for both developers and wireless operators.'